>> Friday, February 26, 2016

By
Freddie G. Lazaro

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Over 9,000
chickens and other bird species have been killed by Newcastle disease virus,
the Provincial Veterinary Office said as it has intensified surveillance and
close monitoring in the entire province to prevent the spread of the disease or
avian pest here.

Valenzuela urged the
poultry and fighting cocks’ raisers to disinfect their farms to prevent the
entry of the avian pest.

To further ensure the
health of the chicken and fighting cocks in the province, she added that
there’s a need also to have the fowls vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

She said that giving
vitamin supplementation to the chicken is also necessary to strengthen their
immune system.

She warned the public
to avoid too much exposure to the chicken infected with avian pest because it
can be rapidly transferred from one place to another place through contact with
infected personal belongings.

The Provincial
Veterinary Office earlier reported over
9,000 chickens and other bird species have been killed by the Newcastle disease
virus.

She reported the
initial deaths of at least 9,462 heads of bird species comprised of native
chickens, fighting cocks, and turkeys.

“Most of the death of
chickens was due to avian pest in the province were raised through backyard
growing,” she said.

To control the spread
of the virus, Valenzuela advised the local poultry raisers to subject to
vaccination their healthy or unaffected chickens.

“For those affected
farms, the raisers are advised to boost the immune system of their chicken
through vitamin supplementation; and segregation of the affected chicken from
the unaffected one,” she said.